Burgers with a side of love: Rethabile Khumalo launches a mobile kitchen in memory of her mother
FOOD
Rethabile Khumalo has realized a long-held ambition, one she previously envisioned with her late mother, Winnie Khumalo, by launching her inaugural mobile kitchen.
Image: Instagram
Singer and entrepreneur Rethabile Khumalo has opened her very first mobile kitchen.
Born from a dream once shared with her late mother, legendary singer Winnie Khumalo, this is a project close to her heart.
During the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, Rethabile and Winnie had plans to start a food truck together, with a focus on burgers. But just as they were preparing to launch, tragedy struck.
Winnie sadly passed away suddenly after a short illness, shattering not only the family’s world but also their business hopes. Rethabile, however, refused to let the dream die with her mother.
In honour of Winnie’s memory, Rethabile pushed forward with the idea and launched her burger kitchen on her own.
"We bought a food truck and we wanted to sell burgers,” she explained.
“I wanted to carry on with her wishes to open the kitchen because she always believed in my cooking and most of the things I would do," she told reporters.
The mobile kitchen, which now serves up juicy burgers with a side of love, has quickly gained popularity. Rethabile keeps things fast and efficient, making sure orders are never delayed.
“I am selling a lot. I am working alone, but I believe I will get people to assist me. It gets hectic. I always make sure I push as much as I can.”
Despite the intensity, she beams with pride at how far she’s come.
The kitchen caters to meat lovers and vegetarians, although she admits there isn’t much demand for the veggie burger option in the township.
“I make sure I accommodate everybody because it's not only about kasi (township). There are people who come from far to buy my burgers, and I appreciate them.”
For Rethabile, it’s also about inspiring young women from the townships who have big dreams beyond music.
“I want it to expand. I want to have branches at kasi malls to show a kasi girl like me, who is a singer, can do more,” she said.
Her motivation remains rooted in her mother’s legacy. “I want to make my mom proud. I am willing to do anything to make my mom proud because I am the woman I am today because of her.”